Pious Celebration of Hanuman Jayanti Twice a Year
The strength and power of humans are limited to certain points but when it comes to the powers of the almighty the sky is the limit. Every person is dependent on some source of supernatural energy to fulfill his desires, wishes and dreams. This energy is mostly referred to as God.
Hindu religion is home to millions of gods and goddesses who possess celestial powers. All the gods are capable of doing magical tasks and fulfil human desires. There are many gods who have appeared on earth to protect humans and save them from devils and other negativities.
Lord Hanuman is the most pious and sacred God worshipped by people throughout the world. He is one of the main Hindu gods who is popular as an ardent devotee of Lord Rama. His unconditional love, faith and sacrifice for Lord Rama is famous among devotees and is praised even today.
About Hanuman
Hanuman also known as Sankatmochan or Pawanputra, is a monkey-faced Hindu god popular for his immense strength, energy and power. He appeared on earth during satyug as a son of mother Anjana and father Kesari. Due to this, Hanuman is also known as Anjaney or Kesarinandan. According to Hindu texts, he is also the son of Vayu (wind god) so known as Pawanputra.
Why and how was Hanuman born?
There are more than one tale popular about the birth of Hanuman which explains the reason and the way Hanuman appeared on earth.
As per the first story, the birth of Lord Hanuman was to help Anajana to get rid of the curse according to which she was incapable of giving birth to any boy or girl. Anjana performed an arduous penance to please Lord Shiva for his blessings. As a result of which Lord Hanuman appeared as a son of Anjana. As per this story, Hanuman is the 11th Rudra avatar of Lord Shiva.
As per another story, when Anjana was performing penance at the same time, Dasharatha, the king of Ayodhya was performing a sacred ritual with a desire of having a son. King Dasharatha received a pudding that was supposed to be shared among his three wives. As per the divine law, some portion of the pudding was snatched by a kite and dropped into the hands of Anjana by means of Vayu (wind god) which was consumed by Anjana. Later, Hanuman was born as a son of Anjana who was also referred to as Vayuputra for this reason.
Why we celebrate ‘Hanuman Jayanti’
Hanuman has been popular for performing unexceptional and amazing tasks since his childhood. Whether it is consuming the sun, carrying the mountain or crossing the sea, every act is phenomenal in its own way. So is the celebration of the birth anniversary of Hanuman which is celebrated twice a year as per the known facts.
Firstly, Hanuman Jayanti is rejoiced as the birthday of Hanuman and also as a day of victory. Hanuman Jayanti is celebrated on Poornima (full moon day) of Chaitra month as the birth anniversary of Hanuman. Secondly, it is also celebrated as Vijay Mahotsav in the month of Kartik on Chaturdashi of Krishna Paksha.
As per one of the incidences of Ramayana, once Sita was applying sindoor which made Hanuman curious and he asked the reason. Sita replied that she applies sindoor for the well-being and prolonged life of Lord Rama.
After listening to this, Hanuman applied sindoor all over his body with the innocent thought of adding years to Lord Ram’s life. On this, Maa Sita blessed Hanuman with the boon of immortality.
How to celebrate Hanuman Jayanti
Hanuman Jayanti is one of the auspicious festivals in India and other parts of the globe celebrated by Hindu devotees. The festival is relished with huge enthusiasm and devotion, especially by followers of Hanuman. Full-day fasting is observed at many places by devotees as per their faith. Some of the common rituals performed on Hanuman Jayanti, the birth anniversary include:
- Clean the house temple area and place a red cloth. Place the idols or photos of Hanuman with Lord Rama, Sita and Laxman, Lord Ganesha along with Ramayan in the same place.
- Lit the brass or earthen lamp filled with oil or desi ghee.
- Apply orange tilak (chandan or orange tilak) to all the idols.
- Offer a sacred red color threads kalawa, janeyu, akshat (rice), tulsi and show dhoop, deep to god.
- Offer bananas, motichur laddoo, coconut or jaggery with gram as bhog prasad.
- After this, a recitation of Hanuman chalisa must be done. Recitation of Sundar Kand, Ramayan Path and other hanuman songs and shlokas are preferred. In the end, speak the name of Lord Ram aloud at least eleven times.
- At last Hanuman arti is done and prasad is distributed among all the family members and guests.
If you want to learn more about Top 8 Tallest Hanuman Statues. Check out this post: Top 8 Tallest Hanuman Statues Across The World